Thread: Reality Checks

How do reality checks work?

The strangest things can seem normal in a dream, so how can something so small as noticing two numbers being differnt trigger lucidity? Talking to a green horse or something in your dream should trigger it as well, but it doesnt seem to.

I am not doubting that they work, I am just asking what you think makes them work?

I have also had dreams where I realise I am dreaming because that is the dream (no reality check) but I do not become aware, the dream just goes on.

How do reality checks effect you differently? I haven't had a reality check in a dream yet so I am in the dark about the whole matter...

I think you are mixing reality checks with dreamsigns. dreamsigns are signs that you're dreaming, something odd that wouldn't happen in waking life that occurs often in your dreams to let you know it's a dream. a reality check is well...a test to determine wether you are in a dream or awake. it could be trying to read (the words will probably distort if it's a dream), or trying to stick your finger through your palm, etc.

sure, you might think something strange is normal in a dream. but the trick with dreamsigns is to find something strange you see in your dreams alot, so that you recognize it the next time you see it and realize it's a dream.

I think parperdoll_EP hit it on the head.

Reality checks are somthing you would perform in a dream to see if you are indeed dreaming.

no no no, I am completely aware of dreamsigns and know what reality checks are...

I am just wondering why do they work, if you know? In a dream, everything is normal, so realising you are dreaming should be normal, and seing random numbers on a digital clock or something should be normal to. So why do they enable you to wake up? Shouldnt you just think that two different numbers or something is normal? If you put your finger through your palm wouldnt you just think "nope, not dreaming" or somethign?

Maybe I'm just asking the wrong questions, or looking for answers noone has. Probably both.

Thanks anyway.

Just look at your hands in your dreams and count how many fingers you have. When ever I do this, I tend to have the wrong amount of fingers!

I guess they work because you're aware that if you can breath with your nose closed, you're in dream. If you just happen to do it in dream, and haven't ever really thought about it, I doubt it'll work. So, I think that when you do RCs a lot in real life and really think about them, you start to realise that it's not normal if RCs work and so you must be dreaming.

Originally posted by cynical_bob
no no no, I am completely aware of dreamsigns and know what reality checks are...

Sorry I din't thik paperdoll or I meant to offend you.

A reality check works becuase you are testing reality. The rules or laws that apply in the waking life do not apply in a dreamscape. So when you test reality, things should not follow the natural order of things as they would while you are awake.
In order for them to work well you should to perform them on a consistant basis while your awake. Proving to your mind that you are in a conscious state. Done with conviction will rule out the possibility that you are sleeping. Then when you are asleep and you perform a RC you will find that you are in a dream.

Don't worry, you didn't offend me, and what I am asking is if anyone knows why they work when anything is normal in a dream? Even if you did see that you were dreaming and achnowledge it, shouldnt you just think something like "Ok, im dreaming. Great. Gotta get on with life now" or something to just achnowledge the fact you are dreaming as being completely normal? I dont think (many) people know the answer, or even what i am talking about. Thanks anyway.

Originally posted by cynical_bob
Don't worry, you didn't offend me, and what I am asking is if anyone knows why they work when anything is normal in a dream? Even if you did see that you were dreaming and achnowledge it, shouldnt you just think something like \"Ok, im dreaming. Great. Gotta get on with life now\" or something to just achnowledge the fact you are dreaming as being completely normal? I dont think (many) people know the answer, or even what i am talking about. Thanks anyway.

I think...I know what you are talking about now. I think.
Do you mean that by doing reality checks that in a dream it could backfire on you and you would think it was reality in a sense , and go about your dream as if nothing happened?

If that is the case I think too much emphasise is put on wether or not you are dreaming. That is the goal. So it probably can and has happened. But over all I would guess do to the nature of the task, that this is why a reality check works.

If I am wrong again just disregard my comments from here on out.

Often times i have dreams that seem so normal, or somehting will happen and ill get upset and have to solve a problem, that i dont even think to try a reality test. I knwo cuz when i wake up, the dream seemed perfectly reaosnble... When these dreas happen, i feel like i was in conrtol of myslef, beacse I thought it was real life... It is just annoying when you dont realzie your in a drema sometimes...